Chapter 76: The Last Secret

The last mystery? What could it be?

My spine and back were still tingling, but Lin Jianguo had already gently taken my arm and turned me around with him.

“Ssshh.” I let out a sound of cold air between my teeth. In the moment I turned around, I thought I saw the purgatory of the world.

Torn wedding dresses, large patches of blood, pieces of flesh, and people who had already turned into skeletons. Just a few hours ago, they were all still alive.

“You are a Taoist priest, you must understand that if a person dies unjustly somewhere, his soul will always linger in that place. But if you feel carefully, can you feel the slightest trace? Even a remnant of the soul? Or something else, I don’t know.” Compared to me, Lin Jianguo was more calm, or he had seen this kind of scene many times, so he could face it calmly.

I suppressed the churning in my stomach and really sensed it carefully, only to discover that what was more terrifying than the place surrounded by death was the desolation of death. On this ship, apart from Lin Jianguo and me, there was no sign of life at all. Even if the life I was referring to was not a living human life, but some traces of life, such as the scattered soul breath, the various fortunes that people bring with them when they are alive in this world, etc.

Some are just desolate.

“Can you feel it?” Lin Jianguo looked at me and asked.

“There’s nothing left, the only thing left are these skeletons.” My voice was low and a little bitter.

“Do you know why those people worship these skeletons? Because those who have received the grace of God all look like this! Of course, these skeletons are not a pleasant thing either. If you want people to fully recognize your actions, you can use a different method.” Lin Jianguo took my arm and continued walking on the deck.

Some of the blood under my feet had already coagulated. The sensation from the soles of my shoes was slimy and greasy. My goosebumps spread from my neck to my face, but I still endured.

Lin Jianguo’s words made me think. Although he was vague, I could understand what he meant. He was telling me that God had done something that made people worship the terrifying skeletons on their own. He was asking me to guess what God had done to people…

But I don’t understand at all what this strange pattern of behavior is. How can I guess the answer?

Lin Jianguo didn’t expect me to guess the truth of the matter, but just said to himself, “In order to make people recognize his behavior pattern, he did something, that is, he created some different skeletons! For example, some skeletons are black in color, and some of his unwanted ‘food’ residue is attached to them.”

“What does ‘food’ residue mean?” I frowned slightly. At this moment, we had already passed through the deck of purgatory and entered the cabin.

“I don’t really understand this. I only heard a theory from my son once in a while, that is, a person who was not supposed to die in this way was forcibly taken away from his life. In addition to the essence of the soul, there is also some luck that belongs to this person. God can’t use the luck of ordinary people, so it is attached to the skeletons… and sent out with the ship. It is said to be a blessing from the gods… Worshiping these skeletons is like adding the luck of another person to your own, so your own luck will naturally be stronger. This kind of thing is actually very obvious. Over time, every skeleton on this ship became the object of worship for people. First, after all, they had close contact with the gods when they were alive. Second, they carry the so-called grace of the gods. Not only are there such skeletons here, but occasionally the town will also get such skeletons. Do you understand what I mean?” Lin Jianguo looked at me and said.

Of course I understood. Disguising one’s cruel behavior as a divine favor, that’s what that god does.

At this moment, we were already in the magnificent hall of the ship. There were several large tables in the hall, with leftover wine and food on them. The whole hall was beautifully decorated, like a real wedding hall, but in essence it was the same as a condemned prisoner eating a good meal before death.

In one corner, there were several large boxes stacked like coffins. Lin Jianguo pointed to them and said to me, “I don’t think you’ll be interested in seeing them. The boxes contain different skeletons. Some skeletons even have some abilities sealed by the gods, but that’s different. There is a price to pay for using them. The cultivators in the inner village naturally know how to explain the distribution.”

I shook my head and said, “How can someone use the luck of others so easily? Without paying a price, how can one person have the luck of two people?”

When Lin Jianguo told me about it before, I felt that something was wrong. Now I finally realized what was wrong.

Facing my question, Lin Jianguo frowned and thought for a while before saying, “You know that I am essentially an ordinary person, and I don’t know much. In short, God must have his own way. Don’t think that all the people sent will become a skeleton. Some won’t, just like these people rowing below. They will become a kind of existence similar to a tracker.”

What kind of existence is that? I thought to myself, tapping my forehead lightly. It can’t be zombies! That kind of thing against the heavens, even if it was the remnant soul of Kunlun, I don’t believe it would be able to create it. What should it be?

There are too many mysteries, and I’m afraid that only in Guidaowan can they be solved.

“I won’t go below the cabin. The boatman is a puppet. Even in my position, I can’t take risks lightly. The reason I brought you here to visit is to solve the last mystery I can know. In fact, I am trying to lead you to a secret.” As he spoke, Lin Jianguo stopped, casually found a stool to sit down, and gestured for me to follow suit.

I sat in front of him as he took off his hat and looked at me seriously. From his expression, I could tell that this so-called secret must be very important.

“Chen Chengyi, the secret I must tell you is only one sentence, that is, be careful of the skeleton.” After I sat down, Lin Jianguo whispered the secret in my ear. His voice was very low, almost like a breath, to tell me the secret.

Beware of the skeleton? What kind of secret is this? I looked up at Lin Jianguo with a puzzled look.

Lin Jianguo shook his head and said, “I don’t know the full meaning. It was something my son accidentally revealed to me. After revealing it, he shouted, “It’s over, it’s over, what can’t be said will be painful.” In short, after he said that, I haven’t seen my son for a long time. Later, my son never mentioned this again. I know this must be a very important sentence, so I must bring it to you… Last time, you said that there might be a group of people from your master, and I forgot to tell them this sentence.”

I thought about it for a while, but I couldn’t figure out where the clue was. I had to give up for the time being, because we were about to enter Guidaowan, and I still had a few questions to ask Lin Jianguo.

“Why do you say that the so-called gods are so cruel that they eat human flesh and blood? Until all that’s left is a skeleton?” This is the question I most want to ask.

The blood stains on the big boat and the small boat were simply dyed a blood-red, so I think there must have been a very fierce fight inside, and I had to ask him clearly.

“Ghost Beach is not the only place where gods exist. These people can be reasonably allocated to him and other beings. Gods may not eat human flesh and blood, but other beings are very interested in flesh and blood.” Lin Jianguo said to me seriously.

“What exactly are these other beings?” I asked seriously, suddenly feeling a heavy heart. It turns out that the enemy I have to face is not just the so-called god.

“I don’t know. I can only live in a very small area on the outskirts of Guidaowan. The rest of the way is up to you to find.”

“Then why are there two boats going in and out?” This is a question I have always wanted to ask.

“Because the ordinary people in front of you are not precious. They are just something that the gods use to divide with certain existences. It doesn’t matter if they die, because what the gods want is just something that is ethereal and intangible to ordinary people. But you cultivators are precious. Not every sacrifice can have a cultivator, understand? If possible, the gods want you to live until you can appear before them.” Lin Jianguo said seriously.

I touched my chin and thought about it carefully. I was afraid I would have to think about the meaning of this statement, even though Lin Jianguo didn’t want to make it too profound. He only knew a limited amount.

And, what so-called gods are there? There are only the remnants of the Kunlun disaster! A remnant of the Kunlun spirit that is even more powerful than Bipater…